German Mennonite Peppernuts | pfeffernusse cookies
FULL RECIPE ►
SUBSCRIBE ►
BETTER BAKING SCHOOL ►
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORDER THE BAKER BETTIE COOKBOOK!
Amazon-
Bookshop-
Barnes and noble-
Chapters indigo-
Indiebound-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCTS USED IN THIS RECIPE (affiliate links)
Metal Bench Scraper:
Hand Mixer:
Glass Mixing Bowl:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLLOW ME ON:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Email Subscription:
Website:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
INGREDIENTS:
2 sticks (1 cup, 224 gr) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (336 gr) dark brown sugar, lightly packed
2 large eggs
2 1/2 tsp anise extract (this is traditional in this recipe, but can be left out if you do not like anise. I have made them without several times and they are still delicious)
1/4 tsp table salt or Morton kosher salt (use 1/2 tsp if using Diamond kosher)
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp ground cardamom or clove (clove is more traditional, but I prefer the flavor of cardamom)
3 1/2 cups (420 gr) all purpose flour (measured properly-lightly spooned into measuring cups without packing in and leveled off)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peppernuts (or Pfeffernusse Cookies) are a traditional German cookie often made in Mennonite communities in the US. They are a very delicious, tiny, crunchy cookie filled with warming spices and are perfect for gift giving during the holidays!
Growing up in Kansas, there was one particular cookie that was a staple at every holiday event: Peppernuts. The area where I grew up (Hutchinson, KS) has a fairly large population of German Mennonite and because this is a traditional German recipe, these addictive little cookies are very popular during the holidays.
My family in particular did not make these amazing cookies, rather we would often receive them as gifts from various other people. The cookies from each person we received them from would have a slightly different flavor, and I personally loved them all. It seems each family’s recipe has a different variation on the spice combination, and in talking to friends from my hometown who do have family recipes, they are quite opinionated and passionate about what should go into them!
The one main ingredient that seems to have a general consensus from the group is that anise (most recipes use anise oil) is an absolute must in a true peppernut. Beyond that, most recipes use ground cinnamon and ground ginger, and then others add various combinations of cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and some use ground nuts or nut flour.
One ingredient that I was surprised wasn’t a unanimous “absolutely yes” from the group, is the use of white pepper in the cookies. I have always added it to mine and had believed this is where the cookies got the “pepper” part of their name and really what makes them so unique and special. But I learned that this ingredient is also controversial. About half use pepper and half do not. I am very much on Team Pepper in these special little cookies!
#christmascookies #bakerbettie #baking
Pfeffernüße Pfeffernuss Pfeffernüsse
Offenbacher Pfeffernüsse are a special treat and were already very popular in Goethe's time. These are traditional German spice cookies made for the Christmas holiday season. My friend is from Berlin and showed me how to make these special treats.
Pfeffernüße without almonds
A pinch is usually measured on the tip of a butter knife in German recipes (in recipes referred to as Messerspitze or Msp = tip of a knife)
Ingredients for dough
3 eggs
70 g sugar (optional)
150 g honey or beet syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice (to activate the natron)
1 pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large pinch of ginger
1 large pinch of cardamon
1 pinch cloves
1 pinch allspice
( I have a premade mix, so we’ll be using that)
1 large pinch pepper
75-100 g candied lemon and/or orange peel (minced)
350 g flour (sift in)
120 g fine bread crumbs
25 g natron or baking soda
1-2 tablespoons milk, if needed
Ingredients for the glaze
150 g powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons water, lemon juice or other fluid (spiced cider for our baking)
1 egg white (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 F
Preparation
- Beat eggs with sugar, beet syrup, lemon juice, ginger and spices until foamy.
* Mix flour with baking soda, sift into the whet mix and knead it into a dough with crumbs and minced peel.
* (If the dough is too dry add a tablespoon milk, too whet, more flour)
- Roll the dough into little balls or use a small disher, press slightly flat, and place them on a parchment covered baking sheet.
Put sheet on the middle rack in the oven.
Baking time: approx.10 - 12 minutes
Glaze
Whip the glaze ingredients into a thick glaze and brush onto the warm cookies. Place them onto a drying rack.
Let cool and dry completely before storing in cookie tins.
Don’t eat right away or the cookies will taste harsh and bitter.
Let mature in their tin for at least 3 days, a week is better.
Pfeffernusse cookies: Recipe 
Pfeffernüsse
The German Christmas cookie!
Pfeffernusse German Cookies
Sorry I misled you on the brown sugar. It is 3/4 cup, not 1/4 of a cup.
For Noreen's recipe in this Holiday Collaboration, visit
For Beth's recipe in this Holiday Collaboration, visit
See my Blog for the full recipe:
If you haven't already, you must check out Noreen's Kitchen for unique, delicious recipes, meals and more:.
Another must-see is Beth at Cooking and Crafting.
Visit Cooking with Avoir for a taste of the world's cuisine.
Visit Melissa Witts channel for yummy country cooking.
Visit Rick's Youtube channel for some exciting classic and modern faire.
Music by Kevin Macleod at
Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies) | Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons
These German Spice cookies known as Lebkuchen are made from scratch and absolutely delicious! Glazed German gingerbread is a Holiday favorite and always the first thing to go on a Christmas cookie tray.
FULL RECIPE:
Subscribe here:
Join us on Pinterest:
More of our favorite recipes:
#recipe #lebkuchen #christmascookies